‘Mandatory Female Coach is a Win-Win for Both Members & Gyms’
Akshita Srivastava, a marketing & branding professional who is also a fitness enthusiast, says a woman trainer can understand the health goals of a female better.
The new fitness rules being implemented in Noida where female trainers are a must at gyms, pools and yoga training centers, in my opinion, will prove to be a blessing for women as well as wellness industry. This will be a win-win situation for both members and the health business establishment as this will trigger a surge in more women taking to fitness centres. In addition, this will create new job opportunities for women in the state.
The logic behind such an assumption is simple: With rising instances of crime against women, having a professional woman trainer on the premises will create a sense of safety and assuredness among its women members. It will encourage working women to visit fitness units at odd hours or stay the till late. I therefore fully support the decision made by the Noida administration or Uttar Pradesh government.
Most women today juggle busy work and home schedules. In this bargain, they often have to compromise with their health and well-being. It’s tough for them to take time out for going to a gym, splash into a poor or take up activities like Yoga.
By the time they set up a routine and try to be consistent, they might get late especially in the evenings. And if they are late, they usually miss the workout. With women trainers around, this disruption in routine shall surely be avoided.
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It is common knowledge that women in higher positions or in corporate sector often work late in their offices, making it essential to create safe environments that allow them to prioritize fitness without hesitation. Not every office has an in-built fitness centre, much less a professionally run unit. Female trainers might not only imbibe a sense of security amongst women clientele but also create a balanced space where women feel at ease to achieve their fitness goals.
For, it is natural for a majority of women to feel more comfortable with female trainers to discuss their personal fitness goals and would be happy to be guided by same-gender trainers to achieve them. The hesitation over biological issues can duly be taken care of and there’ll be more mental and physical freedom during workout.
My only worry is: do we have adequate number of female trainers, including fitness coaches, swimmers, and yoga instructors? The fitness industry has long faced a noticeable scarcity of women professionals in these roles. Yet, I am hopeful that with this rule, we shall see more women trainers or sports veterans trying out a career in this field.
All in all, a good move. I hope to see more and more women come out and enjoy this opportunity to be trained by women who would understand their health problems better.
As told to Deepa Gupta
